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We had an email from David Thomas earlier this week that showed that we (5305 Locomotive Association) seem to be fulfilling one of the main criteria under which we have custody of two of the National Collection’s steam locomotives – namely showing them off to members of the public who might otherwise not see them.

The email read: “Today (Friday 12th March)at about 12.45 I happened to be walking alongside the Greenford Loop when to my delight I saw 70013 waiting at the signal just north of South Greenford halt and the A40. She waited for the Greenford-Paddington DMU to clear and then headed towards the west loop which would have taken her onto the Chiltern Line towards Birmingham. I notice on your site that 70013 is running a train from Liverpool Street tomorrow so wondered where she coming from (Southall shed perhaps?) and going to for the night.

Seeing her fairly close up certainly made my day and she seems to be in excellent condition for the start of the season.

I hope you have a successful year

Best wishes and thanks for today's treat.”

In answer to Mr Thomas’s questions, yes she was shedded for the night at Southall and the movement he saw was a turning move to get the locomotive facing the right way for the “Lincolnshire Coast Express” trip the following day (see an earlier news posting for a report of the trip).

Oliver Cromwell, 70013, is currently at Carnforth getting ready for the Help For Heroes trip on Saturday 27th of March. This trip is in aid of the charity “Help For Heroes” which raises money for wounded soldiers. Please remember the charity – particularly if you go out lineside to take photos, and send them a donation. www.helpforheroes.org.uk . The trip, organised by West Coast Railways (www.westcoastrailways.co.uk) is a steam special from Lancaster to York. Return picking up at Lancaster, Preston, Wigan North Western & Manchester Victoria in aid of the charity ‘Help For Heroes’. Many of the organisations involved, including 5305LA, the NRM, West Coast Railways, and Network Rail have donated their time to the trip, meaning that even more of the proceeds go to help our wounded soldiers. Full details of the generosity of the organisations involved were published in Steam Railway Magazine Number 372. The National Railway Museum, who are the owners of the Locomotive have agreed that she can once again wear the (rather appropriate!) identity of long lost classmate No. 70048 “The Territorial Army 1908-1958 (2008)” for this trip.